Facial Expressions
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Tips
1. Be yourself. Don't try to copy the facial expression style of someone else. For example, just because
your favorite professional speaker starts his or her presentations by telling a story using exaggerated
facial expressions doesn't mean it will work for you.
2. Don't overdo it. Some people intentionally try to control their facial expressions by forcing themselves
to smile or use another expression that isn't natural to them. Watch out for "fake" facial expressions that
have a negative impact on your speech or compromise your sincerity.
3. Practice in front of a mirror. Notice what expressions you use while speaking. Study how to control
your facial expressions. Ask yourself, “Do they match my words?”
4. Create different moods. - While practicing in front of the mirror, see if your facial expressions convey
the mood you want to create. If your face isn't showing any emotion, stop, refocus, and try again.
5. Think about what you are saying. Focus on your message and communicating with your audience,
and your facial expressions will follow.
6. Smile before you begin. As I've said before, the one true international non-verbal expression
understood by all is the smile. A warm smile before you begin to speak warms up an audience quickly,
and ending with a smile puts your audience at ease with what they've just learned.
Seven Basic Facial Expressions
1. SADNESS: The eyelids droop as the inner corners of the brows rise and, in extreme sadness, draw
together. The corners of the lips pull down, and the lower lip may push up in a pout.
2. SURPRISE: The upper eyelids and brows rise, and the jaw drops open.
3. ANGER: Both the lower and upper eyelids tighten as the brows lower and draw together. Intense anger
raises the upper eyelids as well. The jaw thrusts forward, the lips press together, and the lower lip may
push up a little.
4. CONTEMPT: This is the only expression that appears on just one side of the face: One half of the upper
lip tightens upward.
5. DISGUST: The nose wrinkles and the upper lip rises while the lower lip protrudes.
6. FEAR: The eyes widen and the upper lids rise, as in surprise, but the brows draw together. The lips stretch
horizontally.
7. HAPPINESS: The corners of the mouth lift in a smile. As the eyelids tighten, the cheeks rise and the outside
corners of the brows pull down